The Invasion

I have to start this review by saying: I love Nicole Kidman. She could be in the worst movie ever made, and I'd probably still watch. There's not many actors I follow anymore; in fact, I don't really focus on actors so much as plot in a movie anymore. It's stories I'm addicted to these days, more than anything. But once in a while, I see an actor who always puts out a flawless performance, and someone who's just so genuinely likable, that I can't help but mention it. And Nicole is like that. Bean and I laugh at the irony; in the days of 'Dead Calm' and 'To Die For,' we could not stand Nicole Kidman. In fact, I was genuinely puzzled when Tom Cruise sang her praises all day long. But really, we were only basing that bias on a few movie roles in which she played a complete B****.

How things change! After years of watching great performances, and seeing what a nice, genuine person she is in interviews, my current view is: Tom Cruise is completely out of his mind, and I will never, ever forgive him for the way Nicole Kidman was treated. haha Well, of course, we don't know the whole story in any divorce, and shouldn't take sides. But, based on the way it all played out, I'm wearing my Team Kidman jersey. ;)

So, I wanted to see 'The Invasion' for several reasons: 1) Nic! 2) It's a remake of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers.' I will watch anything remotely sci-fi, fantasy, or horror.

We (Bean and I) liked this movie, although I saw the negative reviews and sad box office. It's not a thrill-a-minute, but there was a palpable suspense element. I liked all of the actors in it: Daniel Craig, (YUM; the body and the accent kill me!), Nicole Kidman (see above, smiles), and the child actor who played her son, was actually a GOOD child actor (rare).

It kind of had the feel of an old 50's sci-fi movie, in that the humans, as they got 'invaded' (by an alien virus that snatches their bodies, natch), acted like complete zombies, except without the disfigurement and moaning. Actually, they were more like robots, with no emotion chips (nods to Data! Wow, I AM a nerd.). And you wanted to root so hard for Nicole (I don't even remember the character name; I guess I was just focused on the fact that it was Nicole!) to get herself and her son to safety, that it kept you invested.

The ending was waaayyyy too, 'neat and tidy,' but otherwise, we were entertained throughout, which is really all we ask anymore at the movies. It may have been a little slow getting started. But still, entertaining.

Grade: B

In other news, I had a hilarious lunch with Terre and Marilyn yesterday, and must share a top five moments:

1) Words you never thought you'd hear: "Stop hissing at your grandmother!" haha (Said by Terre's son to his cat, who gave Terre a hiss.)

2) When ordering a music box for a friend as a gift, it helps if the company sending the music box does not send a pup tent instead!

3) Yoda looks a lot like a turtle from the top of his head. Well, he does! ha

4) Bourbon ages well in Clever Cat boxes. (Don't ask.)

5) People 'of a certain age' should really learn not to wear Old Lady Perfume. haha

Thanks, Terre and Marilyn, for such a laughter-filled lunch, as always.

Have a great day.